a letter to my teacher...
I think I may have gone a little overboard on the ambition thing...
Maybe I should have kept it to myself that I want to rule the artworld...

Hi Jaime,
I about to start going to this CCAC course:
Art Smart: Breaking into the Art World
SF 1044
Instructor: Dee Hibbert-Jones
Sat., March 20, 27, & April 3, 10 AM–4 PM
$160. Noncredit. Prerequisite: none.

In this course participants will learn how to package and present their work for exhibitions and work on applications to get art residencies and grants. The course covers the basics, from preparing a packet of materials and presenting one's resume in the best possible light, to writing a statement and applying for grants and exhibitions. Participants will be given the opportunity to show their work in class and get firsthand feedback and suggestions for marketing their work. Students will leave with contact names and numbers to kick start their careers and an understanding of the art market that suits their particular work. This course offers a range of tips and guidelines for being art smart and helps develop a community in which to see and promote your work. Bring to first class: paper, pen, and one to three slides or photos of your work.

It seems like a version of Taking the Leap. What do you think of this class?

Regarding the Creative Workshop, my job (UC Berkeley) will only pay for my trip (through career development funding) if it's associated with a class. Creative Workshop was the only art emersion class I could find that allows me to be in NY for several consecutive days at a time. So I'm kinda settling for it, just so I can have a reason to be funded to go to NY. However, what I would truly love is if I found a contemporary art history survey course that would take me to New York or New Orleans for a week, and let me study the museums and galleries of those areas. You wouldn't happen to know of any such classes would you?

Your class and guidance has been teaching me so much. I'm confident that the knowledge and inquiries I've gained will help take the quality of my art to another level. I can't wait to begin my new and improved work.

Although it may seem delusional (I know it does to me), I have a desire to become the most recognized artist of my lifetime. And I also want to be well regarded through history. Though I'm probably doomed to failure, I would like to get as close to this destination as possible. I'm not sure why I feel this way, or if this feeling is common or not, but painting is my most refined talent. I would like to continue towards this mastery until it is a well balanced success.

Just off the top off my head, I consider balanced artistic success as a consistent combination of critical acclaim, popular acclaim, strong financial stability, inner peace and passion. Basically, I want my work to be an honest and articulate representation of my soul, but I also want it to appeal to the general public. I also want to get paid for it.

Eventhough I have very high ambitions, I'm also aware that I may not have enough talent to achieve them. Therefore, I would like to keep on searching to refine my skills so that atleast my skills can take my talents as far as possible. I guess this is where I need my teachers and mentors. I would like to keep on learning as much as I can and from as many people as I can so that I can understand the obstacles and challenges that I face and will be facing. I'd also love to know if I am using the perfect vehicle(s) for my journey.

Right now, my favorite painting vehicles are abstract, asian portraiture, and representational toy paintings. If somehow I can put these three things together into some kind of Holy Trinity, I would be so happy.

If I can somehow use these three vehicles and turn them into the best vehicles (or one great vehicle) that I can use for my journey, then I think I can feel more confident about my work. Unless I learn that these vehicles have already been used too often and in the way that I would like to use them, I think that these are the series that I would like to develop and get out into the world to show.

I want to develop the type of abstract painting style that you've seen me do in class. I am encouraged that you seem to find something special about it. I hope you don't mind, but I now consider you my abstract painting guru. So pretty much what you say to me in that regard is gold.

Taking your advise, I am now searching for a portraiture or figureative guru for my asian portraits, a Pop guru for my toys, and maybe an overall guru for creating a unity between the three. And! probably another one who can show me how to make sure my paintings will sell. Do you have any other classes or teachers in mind? I want to see what "ArtSmart" can do for me first, but I am seriously considering Taking the Leap.

Yipes! Sorry this e-mail got so long. I just get so excited when I talk about this stuff. Anyway, the questions you presented are really helping me organize my thoughts. They are also helping me find my way.

I hope I'm not overwhelming you too much.

Thanks!
Mike